Palay prices rise in most areas – Manila Bulletin



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Palay prices recovered slightly during the first week of November compared to the previous weeks, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

However, in some areas, prices still fell to P10.71 per kilogram (/ kg).

During the first week of November, the average retail price of palay increased to P15.41 / kg or 0.4 percent during the period, from its level of P15.35 / kg in the previous week.

(MB file, JJ Landingin)

Meanwhile, it decreased at an annual rate of 1.3 percent, from its average price of P15.61 / kg in the same week last year.

PSA’s weekly price report on the palay farm showed that some areas enjoyed prices as high as P20 / kg, while the average price was set at P15.41 / kg.

The provinces that were able to sell their palay at high prices include Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Unión, Cagayán, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, among others.

On the other hand, those who saw low prices – from P10.71 / kg to P12.50 / kg – Bulacan, Cavite, Quezón Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cotabato Norte, Agusan Del Sur, among others.

Some of these provinces, particularly Quezon Province, were severely affected by the recent typhoons last month, which destroyed most of their rice production.

Because of the yield saved, farmers can only sell them at low prices because they do not have the drying facilities to improve the quality of their harvest.

“Those that we could not sell, we will simply eat them,” René Cerilla, political leader of Pambansang Kilusan ng Samahan ng mga Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) and farmer leader of López, Quezon, said previously.

“Those that we are going to sell, we can only sell for a very low price, which means that we will not earn anything,” he added.

Just over a week ago, DA already officially lowered its target palay production for the year, admitting that the country’s annual unpeeled rice production will no longer reach 20 million metric tons (MT).

By the last quarter of 2020, rice production is expected to reach 7.42 million MT, bringing this year’s total palay production to just 19.32 million MT, according to the Program’s Chief Deputy Secretary National Rice (NRP) of DA, Andrew Villacorta.

While this is 2.7 percent more than the total harvest of 18.8 million MT in 2019, it will be less than the 20.34 million MT of game that the DA expected the country to produce this year.

Rice farmers across the country are now asking for government help.

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